When praying, reading your Bible, and fasting isn’t good enough.

Beloved, sometimes we are overcome with a certain emotion or feeling regarding things we may want, circumstances in our lives, or a decision that needs to be made. But how do we know it’s from God, or are we being mislead? A fervent Christian will pray, read the Bible and fast in order to better understand what God may be speaking. But, what if you have done all of that, waited a sufficient amount of time, and still haven’t received an answer? What do you do?

When praying, reading your Bible, and fasting isn’t good enough.

Beloved, the action you take thereafter is critical to the outcome. The problem many people face today is being mislead by their emotions, but thinking that God told them to act. That’s what I want to talk to you about today. What I have observed is, many claim to hear God’s  voice, but do not wait on His hand. I’ll amen myself to that! Thank you! If a leading in your spirit is indeed from God, He will give you concrete evidence to confirm what He has told you without a shadow of a doubt! James 1: 17 says:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

That means when God gives it to you, there will be no desperation, no questioning, no gray areas, and no confusion! What I’m noticing is the problem lies in the waiting. Many people feel in their spirit that “God said” that this was from Him; the key word is feel, and that’s where a lot of people get confused. They act on feelings as opposed to waiting on God. They are mislead because this situation is what they want, and in their own strength, they  try to force God to agree with their decision, so they move prematurely. They then swear it was God’s leading, and when a disastrous end is the result, they blame God and are angry at God.

“God, how could you let this happen, you told me this was from You! How could you let me go through this so long if this wasn’t sent from you? Or, how could this be impressed so heavily upon my heart if it’s not from you?”

Sound familiar? Here’s the answer to why most people fail in hearing God’s voice:

You act on your feelings instead of waiting on God to reveal if indeed what you felt in your spirit came from Him!

The hard part is waiting. Beloved, the enemy is a machiavellian, he is manipulative, crafty, and cunning. That’s why the Bible says in Matthew 24:24:

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

That’s why God admonishes us to diligently trust Him and not our emotions.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding (ISV).

As you have read, even pious Christians can be greatly mislead. If there’s doubt: wait! If something doesn’t seem right: wait! If there’s confusion, don’t make excuses: wait! Don’t take action, but wait and at the divine time God will lift the veil and reveal everything! You know, sometimes God allows you to go through these things in order to sharpen your spiritual weapons. He’s teaching you how to categorically discern His voice from the enemy’s voice. The answer to your situation may take years, but don’t allow your emotions to cause you to make a wrong move; wait for God to confirm what you think He has told you.

If you are willing to wait until you get a clear answer, it will show up!; either through a person, a revelation, a dream, or God will reveal it to you in front of your very own eyes! Beloved, before you make a devastating mistake that may take years to recover; wait for God to emphatically reveal His will before you take action.

-Puah Neiel

 

THE PURPOSE IS IN YOUR PAIN

When we think about summer, we think about beautiful flowers, a beaming sun, and picturesque landscapes. Slowly, winter soon creeps in and destroys the flowers, dries up the grass and barrens the trees. The beautiful idyllic scenery we saw for a season is now faded to gray, is dark, cloudy and cold. But rest assured, though what seems an eternity, Summer will soon come again. As so, when steel is made for use, pieces of metal are placed over burning hot fire; rolled, molded and pounded until it takes the form of a beautiful shining artifact. In some parts of South Africa, when the winter season is over, the withered grass is burned to the ground so unadulterated grass can grow healthily.

Some of you may have started out in the Summer’s of life — blissful, happy, skipping through the flower fields; but now the harsh winter has killed your quaint life. It has uprooted your beautiful garden and turned your greenery into weeds. Weeds that have wrapped itself around you, and are seemingly choking your family, finances, health and emotions. Contrarily, some of you are like that lump of cold, steel, metal. You were fine just the way you were, living life day-to-day trying to survive on what little you have and make ends meet. Suddenly, your life takes a dramatic turn. Everything that  you were familiar with has dramatically shifted. It seems as if everything in your life has turned into  ashes and flew away. Because of this you’re angry, upset and have lost hope! Even though you’re feeling the heat in every aspect of your life, you’ve now let the fire of anger consume you! You can’t possibly see another Summer approaching for you, and you’re blinded by God’s shining light. You’re wondering what did you do to deserve this nightmare of a life.

The purpose is in your pain! Beloved, we often talk about going through pain to allow God to  stretch us, strengthen us, and mold us. But what I want to talk to you about today is: HOW TO HANDLE HEARTBREAK WHILE WAITING ON GRACE. 2 Corinthians 12:19 says, “My Grace is sufficient for thee!” (NKJV). I don’t know about you, but many who are suffering are waiting for this grace to show up! I believe we will never understand the cause of suffering or why God allows it. But, the point of this message is to state that GOD DOES ALLOW SUFFERING! Beloved, the devil can do nothing outside of God’s will or control. You have to get out of the mindset of thinking your enemies, people or circumstances have control over you. Your have to turn your mind over to knowing that God has His hands in this situation; and may His will be done! You have to stand firm and believe that “all things works together for good to those who love God” (Rom 8:28). But here’s the most important part that people miss: “to those who have been called according to His purpose.”  Beloved, if you have been called quite simply you are going to go through trials. Whether you choose to adhere to this calling determines how long you stay in the wilderness spiritually.

In the book of Job, when Job’s friends aimlessly try to tell him why God is punishing him, Job retorts in Job 19:6:

Can’t you see this is God who has done this? (GNB)

Beloved, I am asking the same question today: if you are a person who serves God and believes in truth and righteousness, can’t you see that God has his Hand in everything pertaining to your life? The purpose is in your pain! Take your eyes off the situation and turn them toward heaven; on your God, your Redeemer, and your Justifier.

Hosea 12:6,

Trust in your God and return to Him. Be loyal and just, and wait patiently for your God to act (GNB).

Bitterness and anger distorts your view of God. It prevents you from seeing God clearly. You must trust wholeheartedly and believe that the end result will turn out for your good! In Job 23:11, Job says, “I follow faithfully the road he chooses, and never wander to either side” (GNB). Though hard it may be, we must follow God faithfully! He’s directing the purpose for your life! Even though you may be in the midst of “the valley of the shadow  of death,” God is directing your purpose! Even though you are going through hurtful and painful situations where it seems like there is no way out, cling close to God. Don’t let go of Him with doubt, fear and unbelief. He’s teaching you some things you don’t know about yourself. He showing you how strong you are. He’s teaching you how to go the distance. He’s teaching you how to wait on Him so you can be proficient in your purpose!

Job 36:15 says,

But God teaches men through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes (GNB).

God is leading you to your purpose, you can’t quite clearly see it yet!

-Puah Neiel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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